Dementia Friendly Natick

Dementia Friendly Natick is an initiative of the Natick Council on Aging and Human Services in collaboration with a group of organizations and service providers in the Town of Natick. The Massachusetts Council on Aging is the state lead for the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts initiative, a community-based, grassroots Movement to grow awareness, services, and infrastructure to support the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Many Massachusetts cities and towns have recently become Dementia- Friendly Communities.

In joining this initiative, the Natick Council on Aging and Human Services formed a Dementia Friendly Natick Action Team to enhance community awareness and support for people living with dementia and their care providers. The Team includes Members from sectors of the Town of Natick who are likely to encounter residents living with memory loss in their professional role, including: 

  • Council on Aging and Human Services
  • Natick Board of Health
  • Morse Institute Library
  • Natick Police Department
  • Natick Fire Department
  • Natick Housing Authority
  • Natick Service Council
  • First Congregational Church
  • Needham Bank
  • Natick Community Member and Caregiver 

Dementia Friendly Natick is intended to engage people living with dementia, caregivers and community members in a collaborative team to identify ways in which various sectors can best service this population and their caregivers in the Town of Natick. Our Action Team's primary goal is to increase awareness and understanding of dementia and the needs of people living with dementia. Through speaking engagements, programs and trainings, we hope to promote best practices for interactions with people living with dementia and support their continued engagement in our community. 

100 - 130

1:00 – 1:30 pm      Welcome

  

Opening Presentation: The Impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Your  Community

Julie McMurray, Senior Manager, Central Regional Office and Community Outreach  

                                   Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH

                                  

1:30 - 3:30 pm            Refreshments and Information tables open for remainder of the event

Great Room East


1:45 – 2:15 pm Chair Yoga

Margot Macfarlane, Yoga Practitioner and Teacher

Journey Through Life Yoga and Wellness

2:00- 3:00 pm           Be A Dementia Friend Information Session 

                                   Dementia Friendly Natick Action Team members and Dementia Champions

  2:30 – 3:00 PM          Chair Exercise

  Amy Podolsky, Trainer and Educator

  Ageless Grace – Timely Fitness for the Body and Brain

2:30 – 3:15 pm         Closing Presentation:  Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body

                                     Julie McMurray, Senior Manager, Central Regional Office and Community Outreach,  

  Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH

For more information about Dementia Friendly Communities

Alzheimer’s Association

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.

Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help

 

Dementia Friendly @ Work

This one-hour educational and training session helps staff of businesses, nonprofits and other organizations understand dementia and how to create an environment that is safe, respectful, and welcoming for people living with dementia.

Dementia Friendly @ Work | Act on Alzheimer's


Dementia Friends Massachusetts

This  one- hour free training offers everyone in a community an opportunity to learn what dementia is and  how it affects people.  https://dementiafriendsma.org


How to make your community dementia friendly

Learn how dementia affects people and simple ways to make a difference.

How to make your community dementia friendly | Mass.gov


Massachusetts Dementia Friendly Initiative

The initiative is a multi-sector approach to creating supportive dementia friendly communities that are safe, informed, and respectful and that engage all members of the community to meet the needs of the growing number of people living with dementia to remain part of community life.

Dementia Friendly Initiative - Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative